Computers, though they can help educational institutions manage their facilities efficiently, are no substitute for good judgment. Before computerizing, institutions should systematize their records and evaluate their information needs; they should take care not to acquire unnecessary systems or become over-reliant on computers. (MCG)

The Physical Plant Department at Portland State University (OR) performs accounting, inventory control, and purchasing tasks with a local online system. Using in-house software, this system has replaced and improved upon services formerly provided by the State System of Higher Education. (MCG)

Unusually hard hit by the 1970s recession, the University of Michigan accumulated more deferred maintenance problems than could be analyzed efficiently either by hand or with existing computer systems. Using an existing microcomputer and a database management software package, the maintenance service developed its own database to support…